ECoS Help

3376 Views 15 Replies 5 Participants Last post by neil_s_wood, Dec 11, 2008

enM

Discussion Starter · Dec 7, 2008

Hi Guys, Back into modelling after 40 years and decided to go DCC. Have gone for the ESU EcOs but having problems. I have set up a programming track being a metre length of track. Connected the prog track output to the track. I have set up the new loco as per manual but nothing happens. When I touch the arrow over track symbol the 08 shunter edges forward a couple of jerks. If i go to the Programming Decoder and do a read again the shunter jerks a couple of times. The first time I read the CV 1 it read 77. Is this the loco address? After setting the new loco to 77 I did have the shunter moving backwards and forwards. Today when I have come back to carry on I have been unable to move the shunter and it says error when it reads.
After a year of gutting and insulating/decorating garage and baseboard preparation it is frustrating to find this problem and not sure if it is me or the command station is faulty.

Any help will be much appreciated.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

ebaykal

· #2 · Dec 7, 2008

Hi enM and welcome to MRF.

What is the decoder you have in your loco? It will help to know.All new loco's comes with the default adress of 3.
77 is a bit odd. Try reseting the decoder value to factory preset values by writing 8 on CV 8 and see what happens.

Did you have Ecos read all the CV's from the decoder at the "advanced screen"?

Don't worry you'll have plenty of help here. You sure this is a new loco not a second hand one?

Baykal

80class

· #3 · Dec 7, 2008

Hello and welcome!

You'll be glad to know that there are quite a few of us on here that use the ECoS on our layouts so there is a big pool of experience! I'll second what Baykal has said above.

Rob

enM

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 7, 2008

I was expecting to use 3 but didn't have any sign of response. When I read the CV 1 as 77 and using the ID 77 then there was delayed reaction at first them I had it responding. Went merrily to bed thinking I had cracked it but nothing today. The 08 shunter is a hornby so I assume a Hornby decoder. It was bought unboxed as it was from a freight set so nothing but the shunter came. Have a similar Jinty but not tried that as don't want to damage 2 decoders.

enM

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 7, 2008

The read CV from Advance screen. Just tried it and says Decoder does not support NMRA Direct Mode.
When it checked the other types the shunter shot off the programme track

ebaykal

· #6 · Dec 7, 2008

QUOTE (enM @ 7 Dec 2008, 17:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>...... The 08 shunter is a hornby so I assume a Hornby decoder. It was bought unboxed as it was from a freight set so nothing but the shunter came. Have a similar Jinty but not tried that as don't want to damage 2 decoders.

..er sorry enM, I know there are more qualified people here to comment on this but Hornby decoders and the Ecos don't fit that well. One is a state of art control panel whilst the other.... I am sure others will comment on that.

Baykal

80class

· #7 · Dec 7, 2008

Ah, this sounds like another Hornby DCC problem. A lot of the Hornby decoders seem to have problems with all DCC systems other than Hornbys own. I am pretty sure that your ECoS is absolutly fine, but the problem is with the decoder. I would suggest buying some TCS decoders (not much more than a tenner each but very well made) and trying them. You will have no similar problems! Hope this helps,

Rob

enM

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 7, 2008

Think there is beginners problems as well. Have gone back to the advanced and read the decoder. Before I didn't set up the type and putting Generic NMRA for the shunter I get
Manufacturer: unknown
recognised Decoder: Generic NMRA
No of CV's: 62

Have put the Jinty on and the read is

Manufacturer: Atlas Model Railroad Products
recognised Decoder: Generic NMRA
No of CV's: 62.

These were both read putting 3 as the selected loco and then removing one and adding the other.
having given this info the activity bar only shows 11% but goes no further after 5 minutes of waiting.

Neither move when you try and control them as loco 3.

Rob Where do you get your TCS decoders a quick web trawl shows £18 to £24?

Ian

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ebaykal

· #9 · Dec 7, 2008 (Edited by Moderator)

Hi enM,

We now know its a decoder problem. Your Ecos is perfectly functioning. (phewww)
Lots of decent decoders in the market. Rob's choice of TCS decoders are good. Since yours is a shunter a lokpilot mini might also serve the purpose if you are short of space. Just check around and good luck.

Baykal

80class

· #10 · Dec 7, 2008

QUOTE (enM @ 7 Dec 2008, 18:16) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Rob Where do you get your TCS decoders a quick web trawl shows £18 to £24?

Hi Ian,

You are right, there has been about a 25% rise since I last bought any! I recommend the TCS T1 decoder. I normally buy mine from http://www.bromsgrovemodels.co.uk/

The T1 is good for most OO locos, but the smaller locos may require the M1 which is about £6 more.

Good luck,

Rob

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neil_s_wood

· #11 · Dec 7, 2008

It's interesting you got generic NMRA when you put the decoder in, when I put the Hornby decoder into my ECoS it said it was not DCC.

80class

· #12 · Dec 7, 2008

I suspect that when you read the Hornby (early/basic) decoders the results you get may be random. I don't think they were designed to allow CV read back.

Rob

enM

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 8, 2008

I have noticed after many reads it is random to saying not NMRA compatible to manuf unknown to giving a manufacturer.

Will purchase some TCS decoders and see how it goes. These look faily early decoders as the class 08 body removal is different to the description currently available.

Thanks for all your help and will let you know how it goes when I get the TCS decoders.

Ian

iansa

· #14 · Dec 8, 2008

Manufacturer: Name of manufacturer.
recognised Decoder: Generic NMRA
No of CV's: 62.

Ian
[/quote]

You will always get the above while reading any decoder other than ESU type decoders.

Once the decoder is read the Decoder Profile bar will read Generic NMRA.

As has been said! Hornby are a different animal, anything can happen or not.

Other than H I have yet to find a decoder ECOS won't program or talk to.

MRC are finicky but doable. I don't recommend them.

For non sound decoders I recommend TCS.

Iansa

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enM

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 10, 2008

Received some TCS decoders today and when I went to re-chip the Jinty & Cl08 found that both loco's had 4 pin decoders plus the suppression capacitor is still across the motor.

Have tried a Hornby Royal Scot I recently purchased and can control on 3 but as soon as read in advance screen cannot control until I reset it. Cannot change address. Also when I go to programming screen it never changes from read. Better (marginally ) than the older Hornby decoders but still seems to be a major problem with the Hornby Decoders.

Fitted an 8F with a TCS decoder, controlled on 3, changed address and consisently controls.

Go to Programme screen and try to read CV's but never goes from read, so back off to read manual again.

Thanks for all your help.

See from another forum the Sound Duchess has reputedly the Loksound decoder is this correct and has anyone successfully used it with the ECoS?

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neil_s_wood

· #16 · Dec 11, 2008

QUOTE (enM @ 11 Dec 2008, 08:56) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>See from another forum the Sound Duchess has reputedly the Loksound decoder is this correct and has anyone successfully used it with the ECoS?
I hope to be able to answer this in the next couple of days post permitting.

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